360 to 430 Should I ?

I'm not a 430 owner myself (I have a 360) and I have thought about this upgrade a few times as a potential thing to do in a year or two.

The answer I keep coming back to though is that I know my 360 now very well, it doesn't have any niggling problems that I worry about, I had the variators replaced recently as a precaution and I have spent a bit of money going the extra mile with making it look pretty (stuff in the engine bay repainted, some small amount of work in the cabin etc. plus the front end is going to get a lick of paint in a few weeks). So when I ask this question of myself, my answer is always that I would rather stick with my 'known quantity' than change to a complete unknown.

Added to that, from what you describe, the car does not sound like it has been looked after very well ? Most people who really care about their cars keep them immaculately clean and tidy - the fact that it has been traded in in a very dirty state both outside and (worst still) inside suggests to me that the previous owner may not have been too fussy over how they kept the car.

I wouldn't consider a car presented in such a state for 1 minute and that's without even thinking about the poor idle and smooth rpm that you mentioned. My opinion, if you want to do this upgrade, find a car that has clearly been looked after and that doesn't have any obvious running problems.

 

The only change i would like todo is buy a stradale

 

Seems you have very nice 360 Spyder. If I was you, I would enjoy my car and wait for 458 successor to be unveiled. After unveiling you could have very nice 458 Italia! It is whole new world compared to 360/430. If you are really into 430, I would go after 430 Scuderia.

 

Some good advice here, in your case I'd keep the 360 unless you found a really nice condition 430, perhaps even one with some rare options like cf brakes or something.

 

I'm also in the same position - considered both 360 and 430 after driving both of them many times over the years, ended up buying a *very nice* and low-miles 360 Spider. I could have afforded either car but for some reason this particular 360 just spoke to me. I would still consider an upgrade to a 430 at some point, but it would have to be a car that I felt great about...I'm basically echoing the views of others here that it's better to have a specific car you feel good about than which model it is. The key word is "that YOU feel good about."

Having said all that, the 430 is a monster step up from the 360. I personally think it's a bigger step from 360 to 430 than going from 430 to 458 (as the model numbers themselves indicate). My own experience is that the 430 is MUCH faster, shifts MUCH faster, and offers a overall more refined driving experience. it's also just a newer car with the added benefits that come from that. On the other hand, every "advancement" loses some of the character and personality of the cars, so each of us has to find the right balance between old and new for ourselves.

So...my final vote is that you should do what I'm going to do! Enjoy my 360 and drive it often as possible. Keep my eye on 430s that may come up for sale and drive them once in a while. If I find the right car that speaks to me the way my 360 did, then I'll make the switch. But I'm in no rush

 

If you have a 360, I don't think you get enough different stuff for $40k or whatever difference.

If you want to go 360 to Scud, I get that

I would wait for the 458 to keep depreciating. Lots of them under $200k now, only maybe 3 years away from $150k.

That would be alot of car for $150k

 

I traded a 2005 360 spider with 15k miles for a 2006 430 with 4k miles. I have to admit the 430 is a far superior car. It's quicker, the shifts are lightening fast and the car handles like a dream. I could have had that 360 for life, but I couldn't pass this up. I just don't know about a 20k mile car. I would have to get a great deal on it to consider that much mileage.

 

you shouldn't even think about it. if everything goes well with 430 papers etc...why would you not get the 430?

 

I wouldn't worry to much about the car being dirty, that means they drove the car, which the last time I checked, that's what they are for. It seems like you go to drive the car before it was all cleaned up and ready for sale, which isn't a bad thing, you are lucky to see it in its natural state. You would be surprised how a lot of cars come into the dealer on trade, I wouldn't clean my car all up to trade it. When I traded my Cayenne in on my 430, it had about 1,000,000 dead bugs on it, that's what the dealerships detail department is for, and I'm sure once they get the 430 ready for sale it will be super clean, and the seats will be fixed. If not make that a part of the deal. Both fcars I bought had bolster wear, and once fixed you can't tell at all, again I'm sure most that come in, need some sprucing up. So, after all that, if you like the 430 go for it, I looked a long time before buying my car and almost made 2 deals on 360's before I bought the 430, and I am glad I have the 430. When a Ferrari is sold as certified, it means it has gone under inspection, has met Ferrari pre-owned standards, and has a 1 year extended warranty attached to it, at a dealer cost of $5k. My 430 is certified. Good luck, no matter what you do you are in a good spot. Enjoy the process and keep us updated.

 

agree

 

Where have you seen 458s under 200k?

 

Nine with asks of 210 or less on autotrader alone

 

I'd take the $40k and go buy another car. I sold my 360 and am still in a quandary as what to get. I was going to buy the new vette, but just as my number came up they announced the new model so I backed off. As 458 prices decline IMHO that would be the upgrade of choice.

 

In Europe we have 458 for 125k Euros with 30k km on clock.

 

458 model years 2010/2011 with miles of between 25K to say upper 30s can be seen for $175K or higher, several below the $200K mark.

 

I went from a 360 to an F430! I loved my 360.....still miss it! But, the F430 was better in every way! So, where am I now?? Just sold the F430 and starting my search for the perfect 458 Italia or maybe a Scud!!! Let the fun begin!!!

 

If you think about a such upgrade go for a 2008+ F430 which has more toys and upgraded F1 system on it. Accept the asr/cst etc driving mode 360 & 430 handling should be similar; as most of the part under the body are similar to each other. But 430 is obviously stronger and quicker in every terms where 360 is still not a slow car indeed.
Main difference is the noise and the looking... 360 has a more screaming voice with help of 5 valves where 430 has more boomy (v8 muscle car in low revs) with 4 valves.
I always love the tail looking of my 360 where I don't like the front looking because of these huge useless headlight lenses.

 

The F430 engine is probably the best version of equal parts raw and mix of solid power and refinement. At 5 - 7k rmps it roars and pulls like a whaling banshee... I don't think it's working to do anything at any rpm rather it's relentlessly delivering power from idle to redline clear through each gear and has gobs of power on tap at any engine speed.

 

Not sure what was ailing the 430 you experienced but 6K for any length of time in a proper 430 and you can get hurt. it's a beast and is easily worth the price difference.

 

You`ve made great decision!

 

Either way good choice

 

This is why I would never buy a car without driving it. Whether it was a minor issue with this particular car or just didn't feel comfortable to you, you made the right choice.